Arthritis

What is Arthritis?

Derived from the Greek words “arthro” (joint) and “itis” (inflammation) “Arthritis” is a generic condition that covers several disease affecting the connective tissues in joints, skin and various internal organs.

It has two distinct categories of disorders that have a different set of causes and symptoms.

Osteoarthritis

Characterized by degeneration of cartilage in joints. It may be caused by an injury, repetitive joint stress or genetic flaws - any of these could produce imbalances in the chemical processes that maintain healthy cartilage. The most common arthritic condition and is estimated to effect 8.5 Million people (c.2016) within the UK.

A common link with all arthritic disorders is connective tissue

The body uses connective tissue-including cartilage, tendons and ligaments and skin to hold bones, muscles, lungs, organs and others tissues in place. Ligaments, tendons and bursa play important supporting roles in maintaining the strength and stability of joints.

Symptoms of Arthritis

Osteoarthrosis (the newer terminology to osteoarthritis) is the most common arthritic disease, the new term osteoarthrosis means “bone-joint” disorder, which better reflects the nature of the disease, whose primary cause of the pain is the gradual decline of cartilage and subchondral bone. It is not life threatening, but can be disabling if left untreated, and joint replacements are a common allopathic treatment option. Both physical therapies and nutritional interventions play a huge role in the management of this disease.

The common five factors associated with this diagnosis include: the aging process, physical injury, chronic joint stress, oxidative stress and genetic defects.

Nine out of ten people more than 40 years of age show early signs of osteoarthritis on X-rays. The joint pain and stiffness associated with this disease may initially be a minor annoyance of morning stiffness, pain and then a reduction in a range of movement.

Rheumatic disease is a loose terminology covering several auto immune diseases, with the most common and known about being rheumatoid arthritis. Most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include: Painful, red joints, stiffness following immobility, inexplicable periods of fatigue or weakness, minor fevers, anaemia, loss of appetite, weight loss and rheumatoid nodules.

Managing Arthritis

Currently there is no cure for Arthritis. There are many different treatments available to help reduce the symptoms of Arthritis including: pain medication, anti-inflamatories and surgery. There are also many natural treatments available that are safe and effective.